Harry Allen Turnpaugh Sr.

Obituary
The Daily Times
Kerrville, Texas
Published March 30, 2005

KERRVILLE — On Monday, March 28, 2005, Harry Allen Turnpaugh Sr., devoted husband and father, a 35-year resident of Kerrville, passed away following a lengthy battle with renal failure. He was 90 years old at the time of his death.

Harry, the youngest son of Margaret Myrtle Miller Turnpaugh and Walter Scott Turnpaugh Sr., was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on Aug. 4, 1914. At the tender age of 5 years, accompanied by his grandmother, Mary Melissa Bowman Miller, Harry watched his young mother climb aboard a “Jenny” aircraft and fly through the sky. Throughout his life, he credited his interest and love of aviation to his mother’s early flight in 1919.

His first job, at the tender age of 10, was as a cowboy on a dairy farm, following the move of his mother, brother and stepfather, Alfonso Wood Sr., from Texas, to his stepfather’s home in Iowa. However, the family soon moved back to Texas, later settling in Fort Worth.
As a young man growing up in Fort Worth in the late 1930s, he pursued his interest in aviation, working in Dallas and Fort Worth rebuilding “Round” aircraft engines. In the early 1940s, while working in Fort Worth as an airplane mechanic and conducting aircraft inspections, he was approached by an inspector with Civil Aeronautics Agency (CAA), precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to join the CAA. His 30-year federal career began in Dallas in 1941, as an inspector with the CAA responsible for aircraft safety inspections throughout the southwestern United States.

During his career, he held certifications as an airframe and powerplant mechanic, flight engineer, private pilot, and commercial pilot with flight instructor and instrument rating. His career responsibilities later included responsibility for inspection of all airports servicing all U.S. flag carrier airlines in South America.

His travels to South America continued through the 1940s and mid-1950s, amidst numerous, ongoing civil revolutions throughout the country. Harry was a member of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers and the distinguished Quiet Birdmen, San Antonio Hangar Aviation Association.
On June 7, 1943, in Alamo Heights, Texas, Harry married Miss Ruth Hackler of El Paso, Texas. She shared his life and love throughout their 61 years of marriage.

From August-October 1945, Harry was initiated, passed and raised into the Temple Lodge No. 6. A.F. & A.M. (Masonic Lodge) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He continued his involvement with the Masonic brotherhood throughout the remainder of his life.
At the time of his death, he was a member of the Scottish Rite of San Antonio; the Alzafar Shrine Temple of San Antonio; the Shriners Hospitals for Children 100 Million Dollar Club; the Hill Country Shrine Club; and the High Twelve, Kerrville Chapter.

In 1956, Harry was transferred from Dallas to a management position in FAA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Shortly following the Turnpaughs’ move to northern Virginia, they became the proud parents of Kim Lenore. The Turnpaughs lived in northern Virginia until 1965, when Harry was appointed as the division chief, Alaska Region, Flight Standards Service, FAA and the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska. During his two-year assignment in Alaska, he flew throughout the Alaska region on both business and pleasure.

As an avid hunter and fisherman, Alaska was truly the Last Frontier offering not only unparalleled flying experiences, but hunting and fishing in a vast, as yet, untamed wilderness.
The Turnpaughs returned to northern Virginia in 1968, when Harry was appointed as chief, Maintenance Division, Flight Standards Service, FAA, a position he held until his retirement on Jan. 3, 1971.

Following his retirement, Harry returned with his family to his beloved Texas, settling in Kerrville, where he devoted time to his family and community. His community service included: serving on the Kerr County Airport Board for 16 years, including as chairman; president of the Hill Country Gun Club from 1976-1977; president of the Buck and Bull Gun Club; the Hill Country Shrine Club; the High Twelve; the Kerrville Blue Lodge; and as an endowment member of the National Rifle Association.

Survivors include his beloved wife Ruth; their daughter Kim Turnpaugh Anderson and son-in-law Thomas L. Anderson of Brunswick, Georgia; his son Harry Allen Turnpaugh Jr. and his wife Laurie of Lake Whitney; his daughters Jean Turnpaugh of Fort Worth and Jo Ann Lam of California; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.

Services were held on March 31 at Grimes Funeral Chapels, officiated by Chaplain Jim Carpenter. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.